JCPS students from 3 schools walk out protesting for abortion rights

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Groups of students from three Jefferson County Public Schools participated in walkouts on Thursday afternoon protesting a leaked Supreme Court draft to overturn Roe v. Wade.

JCPS spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said students at Atherton, Ballard and Manual High schools organized walkouts outside of the building during school hours on Thursday. The number of students who participated is unknown at the moment, but dozens were seen outside in videos sent to WAVE News.

Students from Atherton High School stated the protests were organized for abortion rights in response to a leaked Supreme Court draft on Tuesday.

The drafted opinion would throw out the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortions nationwide, in favor of giving states the ability to restrict abortions.

“I think young voices are really important to hear, because you hear a lot of old men talking and you don’t hear a lot of young women, like ourselves, talking and speaking our voices,” Karenna Longton, an Atherton High student said. “Because young women everywhere need the health care and the support they need for abortions and sexual health. It’s really important, and I don’t think old men who have never had a period or a uterus in their life should tell them what to do with their bodies.”

Callahan said after the initial walkout at Atherton High School, most students returned to class as directed.

A group of students left the building without permission and were let back in by another student, JCPS confirmed. According to JCPS, once returning into the building, the students became disruptive and ran through the auditorium during a class.

JCPS said the students were then asked to leave the building. According to JCPS policy, once a student leaves a school building without permission, they are not allowed to come back inside.

The district said that the initial walkouts at all three schools were sanctioned by the respective principals, with “safe” locations determined and time limits set in place.

“I haven’t talked to a single girl that isn’t against this,” Longton said. “And even if they aren’t necessarily pro-abortion, they said even if they wouldn’t do it, they would support a woman who decides to make a choice. Because it’s their choice.”

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